A three-day operation targeting people who solicit children over the Internet for sexual exploitation resulted in 17 arrests, including six arrests in Madison, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The Internet Crimes Against Children operation, called Operation Black Veil, ran Tuesday through Thursday and included investigators from the state Department of Justice, investigators from Brown and Door counties, Madison police, the Dane County Sheriff's office, the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department and others.

Criminal complaints for four of the men arrested describe arrangements for sexual encounters the men allegedly made with officers posing as minors or custodians of minors on Craigslist.

In a news release, the Department of Justice provided a list of those arrested in the operation:

• Charles Zimmerman, 36, was arrested Tuesday in Madison on suspicion of trafficking of a child.• Timothy M. Marking, 49, was arrested Tuesday in Madison on suspicion trafficking of a child and child enticement.• Matthew J. Micksch, 26, was arrested Tuesday in Green Bay on suspicion of child enticement.• Benjamin W. Lahti, 24, was arrested Tuesday in Minocqua on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, exposing a child to harmful materials and possession of drug paraphernalia.• Marc S. Marion, 54, was arrested Wednesday in Madison on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.• Jeremy W. Stegall, 29, was arrested Thursday in Madison on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.• Douglas Crueger, 44, was arrested Wednesday in Madison on suspicion of solicitation of a prostitute.• William C. Ward, 27, was arrested Wednesday in Green Bay on suspicion of trafficking of a child.• Phillip Waller, 36, was arrested Wednesday in Wausau on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.• Craig R. Nelson, 34, was arrested Wednesday in Green Bay on suspicion of trafficking of a child, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.• Joshua J. Fumelle, 23, was arrested Wednesday in Green Bay on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement.• Daniel W. Moctezuma, 39, was arrested Thursday in Kenosha on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, child enticement and second-degree sexual assault of child.• Mark A. Randall, 42, was arrested Thursday in Appleton on suspicion of trafficking of a child, child enticement and resisting or obstructing an officer.• Timothy J. Belz, 18, was arrested Thursday in Madison on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and solicitation of a prostitute.• Ryan D. Gleason, 21, was arrested Thursday in Green Bay on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.• Jeffery D. Vadnais-Speck, 27, was arrested Thursday in Shawano on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.• Michael R. Wenzel, 65, was arrested Thursday in Green Bay on suspicion of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

Investigators expect to identify other suspects as the operation continues.

Copyright 2013 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.